The modern pentathlon includes running, shooting, swimming, horseback riding, and fencing, Fernandez's forte. Ranked 57th in the world, he will compete in the mixed relay on Sunday followed by men's individual qualifying on Tuesday for Wednesday's finals.

Fernandez was selected by the International Union for Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as one of only 16 athletes from around the world, including some of the most influential Olympians, to serve as an ambassador and athlete role model for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, set for Oct. 6-18 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Watch Fernandez compete live at the World Championships starting Sunday on the UIPM TV website.